Chapter 361: Ambitious Engineering
"Aubin," the bearish Master Wimund said, clapping the flustered man heavily on the shoulder. "Let Benouet explain, it’s his plan, he should be the one to unfold it. You and I, we just need to answer questions if Her Eternity has any questions for us. Apologies," the burly master said, turning to look at Ashlynn and Nyrielle a touch sheepishly. "My friend here isn’t accustomed to working for such important clients."
"And you are?" Nyrielle said with a raised eyebrow.
"Mistress might be interested to know that Master Wimund trades in stone. The statue of you that stands in the plaza was sourced from his marble quarry when his grandfather ran the family business," Ashlynn added helpfully. "Though he trades in far more than just marble."
"Your Eternity," Master Benouet said, adjusting his silver-rimmed spectacles as he stepped forward. "I know your time tonight is very valuable, and Lady Ashlynn has already spoken with us at great length about this venture. If you’re willing, I can present the essential outline and we can speak more on the journey, if you approve." Seeing the vampire’s slight nod, the tradesman didn’t hesitate to launch into a description of the wild notion that he and Ashlynn had put together over the past week.
"Lady Ashlynn was very impressed by the canals that serve the High Fen, not just in High Fen City, but the ones that transport the harvest from the fields," he explained.
"We used barges that carried grain downriver to the harbor in Blackwell County," Ashlynn explained. "But wagons still have to bring everything a considerable distance over land before it reaches the river. The High Fen seemed much more efficient and I wondered if we could bring this kind of efficiency to the Vale of Mists."
"That seems unlikely," Nyrielle said. "The Vale is steep-sided with many creeks and streams that feed the River Luath. The High Fen is virtually flat. Besides, the villages in the Vale of Mists don’t produce much to trade beyond their own needs. What little is sent to trade in the fortress town is best transported over trails by hand cart, or just carried on the backs of men of the Horned Clan."
"Yes, yes, we talked about this problem at length," Master Benouet said eagerly. "I don’t think that canals between your villages are impossible, but they aren’t necessary. Not yet at least," he said, glancing briefly at Ashlynn who shook her head so slightly that it was almost imperceptible. Their discussions had covered considerably more than what he was about to present but clearly, Lady Ashlynn wanted to keep things focused on the most immediate proposal.
"Instead," the spectacled master continued. "I showed Lady Ashlynn a special set of canals we’ve constructed in the foothills of the mountains that service the silver and copper mines."